SmackDown was a solid show with many surprises, but truth be told it was one of the weaker shows from this weekend in Orlando. Maybe, the weakest!
That said, there were still enough mark-out moments across the episode, to give it a thumbs up rating. There were NXT call-ups, a culmination of old feuds, epic returns, and even a good old-fashioned street fight. It was the perfect way to end a long weekend of wrestling and make us look forward to the ‘superstar shake up’ next week. But first, it’s time to look back at the ‘Best and Worst’ from this week’s episode of SmackDown LIVE.
#1 Best: The Wyatt Family is still quite alive
After an injury put Erick Rowan on the shelf, Randy Orton entered the Wyatt family and caused tension within the ranks, leading to its eventual dissolution. This week, Rowan was back in a very cool looking mask and he blindsided Orton leading to the higher ups booking a tag team match in the main event of the show. It is customary to have stars return on the Raw after WrestleMania, and we're glad to see that SmackDown is also following suit. Sadly, it exposed the biggest negative, on SmackDown LIVE.
#1 Worst: The Wyatt-Orton feud is a dud
Except for the one week where Randy Orton burned down the Wyatt compound with the remains of Abigail, this feud has not really delivered. The WrestleMania match between Orton and Wyatt was not their best effort in the ring, and the tag team main event match was quite a dud too! The worst part, quite honestly, is that there will be another match between the men (a House of Horror gimmick match) very soon. With due respect to The Undertaker, we believe that this program needs to retire as well.
#2 Best: A majestic entrance for a King
He was the man they all came to see, and they were not disappointed at all, really! At the end of a segment where The Miz and Maryse impersonated John Cena and his girlfriend Nikki Bella, we saw a lone violinist in the rampway, pluck a few mournful notes and signal the arrival of Shinsuke Nakamura to the main roster. In case you are not familiar with his work on NXT, your mind is about to be blown over the next few weeks. With exceptionally good strikes and enough swag to match it, Nakamura is the real deal.
We are glad he got a special entrance with the violin, but it won't be a part of his entrance every week. This means that Vince McMahon and the higher-ups believe in Nakamura and will not relegate him to the mid-card or lower. If booked right, Nakamura could very easily become the company's next breakout star.
#2 Worst: Illogical booking once again
Luke Harper and Randy Orton should not be friends. If anything, Harper should be mad at Orton for getting him kicked out of the Wyatt family. However, Harper came to Orton’s aid during the opening segment. He even teamed up with Orton for the main event, in a rather puzzling decision.
Renee Young was all smiles too when she went to meet The Miz and Maryse. Just because one feud is over, does not mean all differences have been settled immediately, in our opinion. WWE should pay a lot more focus to continuity in storylines.
#3 Best: A story of perseverance
Tye Dillinger has spent many years in developmental. After many disappointments, he adopted the ‘Perfect 10’ moniker, because if he doesn’t believe in himself, nobody will! Soon enough, his ‘10’ gimmick was over with the crowd, probably as much as ‘Yes’ was with SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan. We’re certain that with the audience on his side, Dillinger is destined for great things in the near future.
#3 Worst: The Tag Team Division is still not on TV
The Usos won the Tag Team Championships two weeks ago week on Smackdown. Since then, their greatest achievement has been being a part of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. It is a shame that they did not get any air time even in the Smackdown after Wrestlemania. Them, American Alpha and the rest of the division certainly deserve much better.
#4 Best: Good ol’ fashioned street fight
This is the match that should have happened at WrestleMania, honestly. Not the watered down fight we eventually saw from the two men.
In conclusion, let's hope that WWE keeps up this momentum for the months that follow as well. Here are John Cena and Nikki Bella bidding you a very happy farewell, for the time being. May every week feel like WrestleMania to you.
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